Lowestoft, a quiet seaside town in Sufflok, was in the front line during the Second World War. Bombing raids, fires and trips to the air-raid shelter became almost daily events for young Michael Foreman, growing up in the 1940s.

But gas masks were great for rude noise, gobstoppers were still good to suck and the Hill Green Gang could still try to beat the Ship Road Gang. Father Christmas would tell tales of his days as a cabin boy on the great clippers, the old tramp could spin a good yarn round the camp-fire, and nothing could beat Mrs Ruthern's rabbit-pie!

Michael Foreman's story continues in After The War Was Over.